In This Edition
Upcoming Diocesan Offerings
June 3
Unity in Diversity/ Unidad en la Diversidad Leadership Workshop
Trinity Cathedral, Trenton

June 3
Come to the Table
Trinity Cathedral Chapel, Trenton


June 5-9
Appreciative Leadership
Crowne Plaza, Plainsboro

June 10    
St Mark's
Keansburg

June 10
Floral Ministries Workshop
Trinity Cathedral   
 
June 10

June 23

July 10-14
Episcopal Youth Event
University of Central Oklahoma  

July 23-27
Choir Camp
Cape May 
Upcoming Congregational Events
May 31
Holy Trinity
South River

St. John's
Somerville

June 3
St. James'
Bradley Beach 

Battle Monument
Trenton, NJ

St. Mary's
Haddon Heights

St. George by the River
Rumson

St. James'
Edison

James's Kerney Campus, MCCC
Trenton

June 11
Christ Church
New Brunswick

June 14
Holy Trinity
South River

St. Stephen's
Beverly
St. Mary's
Stone Harbor
List Your Congregation's Events Here!
 
Adding your events to our calendar is quick and simple; events go live within three business days.

Classifieds
Organist needed! Christ Church, Middletown is seeking an Organist/Music Director.
Learn more.

Organist needed! St. Peter's, Perth Amboy is seeking an organist.
Several frontals and superfrontals, processional crosses, chalices, patens, cruets, pascal candles, and a variety of stoles, chasubles, and other vestments are
on offer in Diocesan House. For more information contact
Have a compelling story to share? Click here to e-mail us and let us know! 
May 26, 2017
From the Bishop
Dear People of the Diocese of New Jersey,

While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven... Luke 24:51

Giotto_s The Ascension from Scrovegni Yesterday was the Feast of the Ascension, a Principal Feast of the Church. It marks our yearly remembrance of Jesus taking leave of the Apostles on the 40th day after Easter. This chronology is provided in the account of the Ascension found in Acts 1. The author, who also wrote Luke's Gospel, writes, "After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom" (Acts 1:3).

In his gospel, the writer of Luke implies that the Ascension took place on Easter Day, after Jesus appeared to his disciples. It's a little confusing. No matter. 

The primary purpose of the account is to assert that Jesus is no longer present on earth in the same way he had been. His redemptive work on earth has been completed. This does not mean he is absent however. After all, in Matthew's Gospel, the risen Christ's last words to his followers are, "I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:20). With Pentecost, on the Fiftieth Day, the promised gift of the Spirit is given, which continues his presence on earth in the lives of his followers - the Church. 

Our Christian lives are lived in the tension of the Ascension assertion that he "withdrew from them and was taken up into heaven," and the Easter promise: "I am with you always to the end of the age." In the promised gift of the Holy Spirit, given at Pentecost, Jesus is with us always. This paradoxical tension is clear in the Collect for the Ascension in the Book of Common Prayer.

Almighty God, whose blessed Son our Savior Jesus Christ ascended far above all heavens that he might fill all things: Mercifully give us faith to perceive that, according to his promise, he abides with his Church on earth, even to the end of the ages; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Monday is Memorial Day - a secular day that should demand our attention and respect. This past week, I had the great honor and privilege of going to West Point to be with Lieutenant General William Ely, at age 105, the oldest living graduate of West Point. It was profound to be in that historic place. There are statues and plaques to famous graduates all over the place, Douglas MacArthur, George Patton and on and on.

I can't help thinking of those West Point graduates over the generations who served their country and, along with so many others over our history, paid the ultimate price. Some of us know the names of a select few. There are countless others whose names we don't know. All of them died fighting to defend and preserve the freedoms we enjoy.

As is the case with all of our holidays (holy-days), Memorial Day has been crassly co-opted by the marketplace and the dominant religion of consumerism. It is shameful. The true meaning of the day is too often lost in the shallowness of consumerism.

I pray that all of us will pause and take time to remember those who gave their lives in service to this country, recognizing the preciousness of their sacrifice and the gift they have given to all of us.

May your Ascension Day and your Memorial Day be blessed and filled with meaning.

Yours in Christ, 


The Right Reverend William H. (Chip) Stokes, D.D.
XII Bishop of New Jersey


Good News stories and more!
Cathedral Sunday is June 11th!


Join Your Cathedral for a Festive Floral Eucharist with Confirmations, preceded by a free flower arranging workshop on June 10. Learn more!
Spring Convocation Meetings Announced

The remaining locations of the  Discerning our Common Call  discussions are listed below.

Watchung
Sunday, 6/4
3:00 p.m.
St. Mark's,
Basking Ridge
Monmouth
Wednesday, 6/7
7:00 p.m.
Christ Church,
Toms River
Unity in Diversity Leadership Workshop
Unidad en la Diversidad Taller para Lideres

June 3 at 10 am 
Trinity Cathedral

Sponsored by the Diocesan Hispanic Commission                       Learn more!
You Have a Partner in Ecuador

Think of how spiritually and culturally enriching it could be for your parish to have a companion parish in Ecuador. Several churches in this fascinating South American country have expressed interest in forming an ongoing relationship with a parish in the Diocese of New Jersey to share ideas, prayers, visits, holiday greetings and just get acquainted. Such a relationship could be a highly rewarding experience for your parish's youth program and for your overall congregation.

The Companion Diocese Committee would like to introduce you to your potential partner in Ecuador this summer.  
For more information contact
the Rev. Mark Van Sant (732-222-4563) or
Paul Murphy (609-799-5252). 

 
Summer internship program of the Diocese of New Jersey
 
The Diocesan Committee on the Priesthood is accepting applications for a summer internship in a local Episcopal congregation (stipend provided).

The purpose of the internship is to help college students and college-age young adults to explore the possibility of ordained ministry as a vocation.
Details of the program and application are available by contacting the Rev. Ophelia Laughlin (732) 842-0596.  The deadline for receipt of applications is
Wednesday, May 31st, 2017.

Stewardship Seminars
Editors Note: Be on the look out in the coming weeks for pictures from the many events which took place over the last weeks!
The Diocese of New Jersey
(609) 394-5281
808 West State St, Trenton, NJ 08618